Support Blue Zones bid

Storm Lake is at it again---applying for a second time this year to become one of the multiple Blue Zones demonstration sites across the state of Iowa.

Earlier this year, a small group of committed individuals (who deserve a little bit of recognition for their efforts) were hard at work, tackling a hefty application that will now be tweaked and updated later this month by volunteers, who are still needed.

Why the hype?

Dan Buettner, author of The Blue Zones, has studied international countries with pockets of healthy, long-living residents, taking note of their diet, habits, natural exercise and community/family ties.

With borderline ridiculous diet books available in mass quantity (please Google 'Six Weeks to OMG: Get Skinnier Than All Your Friends'), Buettner has captured the keys to sustainable lifestyle changes, not a quick fix.

Blue Zones demonstration sites, which are being selected in small clusters in the next five years, are part of Gov. Terry Branstad's centerpiece Healthiest State Initiative, which aims to make Iowa the healthiest state in the U.S. by 2016.

When it comes to health-related issues, Branstad either wins big or fails miserably. Healthiest State Initiative? Gold medal. Vending machine treats at the Capitol color-coded by health factor? Not so much.

Why care about being chosen?

Trust for America's Health's most recent "'F' as in Fat" report shows Iowans are tipping the scales in the country, weighing in as the 20th fattest state.

With 65.9 percent of adults and 26.5 percent of children and teens overweight or obese, something has to change for Iowans to pursue long, healthy lives.

Oh, and there's a little incentive, too. Communities that are selected as Blue Zones demonstration sites will receive $2.5 million in assistance. Wider sidewalks for pedestrians, more bike trails and marked bike lanes on streets? Yes, please.

Want to know what a Blue Zones demonstration site might look like? In 2009, Albert Lea, Minn. became one of the first sites in the U.S. Changes included workplace wellness policies, revised restaurant menus, community gardens, walking clubs/school buses and new hiking trails. As a whole, 18,000 participants increased life expectancy by 3.1 years, lost 12,000 pounds and dropped work absenteeism by 21 percent.

Convinced yet that Storm Lake should again pursue becoming a demonstration site and have 15-20 hours to spare to update the application? Call City Hall at 712-732-8000.

* Ashley Miller is a member of the news staff. Reach the columnist at amiller@stormlakepilottribune.com